Pope Francis - Credit: Vatican News

Pope Francis has appealed to Christians to pray for his upcoming Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

The Pope, who read out a message at the Vatican on Sunday, said the African nations have suffered greatly from lengthy conflicts.

Francis, 86, noted that the DRC “suffers from armed clashes and exploitation”, especially in the east of the country.

He also said South Sudan has been “wracked by years of war” and “longs for an end to the constant violence that forces many people to be displaced and to live in conditions of great hardship.”

The Argentinian begins his peace pilgrimage to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, January 31, where he will spend two days before heading to South Sudan on February 3.

Ahead of his 40th Apostolic Journey abroad, the Pope thanked the civil authorities and Bishops of both countries for their invitations and the preparations they have made for his visit.

He will arrive in South Sudan accompanied by Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby and Rev Dr. Iain Greenshields.

“In South Sudan, I will arrive together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Together, as brothers, we will make an ecumenical pilgrimage of peace,” Pope Francis said.

In April 2019, Francis took a rare act and knelt to kiss the feet of President Salva Kiir and his deputies during a retreat at the Vatican, urging them not to return to civil war.

It is hoped that the visit of the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland may convince the country’s political leaders to fulfill the promise of restoring lasting peace in the country.